KOTA TINGGI: Malaysia, as Asean Chair 2025, will coordinate all aid and assistance to be sent to Myanmar through humanitarian missions.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (pic) said Malaysia will coordinate the types of assistance to be provided to Myanmar following the earthquake that struck on March 28.

He added that his ministry has been informed of Myanmar’s requests. “As the Asean Chair, we are taking this opportunity to coordinate the aid delivery.

“When Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan visited Myanmar on behalf of Malaysia recently, there were several requests made by the Myanmar side.

“Among them was for us to provide a field hospital, which I believe will be brought to the government for further discussion and decision,” said Mohamed Khaled, who is also the Kota Tinggi MP, after attending the Kota Tinggi parliamentary Hari Raya open house at Dewan Jubli Sultan Ibrahim here yesterday.

On another subject, Mohamed Khaled said the United States’ decision to impose new tariffs, including on Malaysia, would plunge the world into uncertainty and trigger a global trade war.

He added that Malaysia is now facing challenges with uncertain conditions, with the latest US action adding to the pressure.

“What we are certain about is the tariff that has been imposed on our country and on all other countries – that we are sure of.

“But as I have said, we strongly support the government’s efforts to negotiate with the United States, and perhaps, we can succeed because our relations are good.”

He said even if Malaysia was successful in its negotiations with the United States, it would not spare our country from the challenges that arise from the actions taken by the Trump administration.

“When global trade is not free, or is hindered or blocked by high tariffs, many countries face decline and they will be in a situation where many companies would not want to invest,” he said.

Mohamed Khaled added that every country wants to trade with the United States because of its huge market, but when they imposed protectionist measures, it restricts market access and competitiveness.

“Previously, it was the United States that championed and introduced the idea of free global trade, but now, it has pulled back from the very system it introduced. “That is why the world is in a state of uncertainty.

“That is why we should support our government’s efforts to negotiate, but there is still no certainty about what will happen to the world. “It might lead to a global trade war – and we do not yet know what the outcome will be,” he said.

On the issues Umno will bring up in the Ayer Kuning by-election, Mohamed Khaled said larger issues of development and welfare would be highlighted.

Umno will address how there is cooperation in the formation of the unity government, including in Perak, and focus will be given to matters related to the development and welfare of the people.

“We will address public understanding of government challenges, including external factors like US tariffs.

“As for other issues, we will see what the Opposition brings up. Surely, they will seize this opportunity to say that everything the government does is wrong,” he said.

The Ayer Kuning by-election is set for April 26, with nomination day and early voting on April 12 and 22 respectively. The by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, on Feb 22.

In the 15th General Election, Ishsam, who was also the Tapah Umno division chief, won with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered contest.